Bird 1988
""There are no second acts in American lives.""
Clint Eastwood's intimate biopic, Bird (1988), plunges deep into the turbulent life of jazz legend Charlie 'Bird' Parker, a saxophonist whose unparalleled talent reshaped American music in the 1940s.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast
Forest Whitaker
Charlie 'Bird' Parker
Diane Venora
Chan Parker
Michael Zelniker
Red Rodney
Samuel E. Wright
Dizzy Gillespie
Keith David
Buster Franklin
Michael McGuire
Brewster
James Handy
Esteves
Damon Whitaker
Young Bird
Morgan Nagler
Kim
Arlen Dean Snyder
Dr. Heath
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bird (1988) about?
Bird (1988) follows saxophonist Charlie 'Bird' Parker as he arrives in 1940s New York, blazing a trail with his revolutionary playing style. His rapid ascent to fame is matched only by his battle with addiction, testing his relationship with his supportive wife Chan and the music he loves.
Who directed Bird?
Clint Eastwood directed Bird (1988), crafting a visually rich and emotionally resonant portrait of jazz legend Charlie Parker.
Who stars in Bird?
The cast of Bird (1988) features Forest Whitaker as Charlie Parker, Diane Venora as his wife Chan, and Michael Zelniker in a key supporting role.
Is Bird (1988) worth watching?
Bird (1988) is a standout drama for jazz enthusiasts and film lovers alike, thanks to Forest Whitaker's powerhouse performance and Clint Eastwood's masterful direction. Its exploration of talent, addiction, and legacy makes it a poignant watch, though its slow-burn pacing may not appeal to all.
How long is Bird?
Bird (1988) has a runtime of 161 minutes, or approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Bird (1988) — Clint Eastwood's Jazz Drama Exploring Charlie Parker's Triumph and Tragedy
Clint Eastwood's intimate biopic, Bird (1988), plunges deep into the turbulent life of jazz legend Charlie 'Bird' Parker, a saxophonist whose unparalleled talent reshaped American music in the 1940s. Arriving in New York with dreams in hand and demons close behind, Parker's rise is as meteoric as his fall into addiction. His relationship with Chan, his devoted wife, becomes his lifeline amid the chaos of fame, poverty, and self-destruction. Eastwood's direction captures the raw intensity of the jazz era while exploring themes of genius, sacrifice, and the cost of artistic obsession.
Forest Whitaker delivers a career-defining performance as Parker, embodying both the brilliance and fragility of a man who revolutionized an art form. With a haunting score and atmospheric cinematography, Bird (1988) immerses viewers in the smoky clubs and shadowy corners of mid-century America, where music and misery often collided. A tribute to jazz's golden age—and a cautionary tale—this drama is as evocative as the notes of a saxophone wailing through the night.
